INTHE4006 - Literature Review and Research Question Seminar
Course content
Rationale: The Literature Review and Research Question Seminar is the start of the students' research preparation. Independently of whether students have already decided their research topic for their master's thesis, it is necessary to do a review of existing research in order to identify gaps in the literature, and to justify their own projects. The course topic the student selects must be in line with his/her research question. It must be agreed upon by the student and his/her main supervisor early in the literature review process.
Learning outcome
With this course, students will become familiar with and learn to identify the most relevant textbooks, reviews, papers and journals for their research topics. During the course the students will also learn how to critically read and assess research papers and reviews. The review should point to research gaps that can be opertionalised into feasible research questions.
Learning objectives:
a) To learn to review and assess scientific literature critically.
b) To write and present an overview of the relevant literature for a specific research topic.
Admission
Id does not exist in shared textThe examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Id does not exist in shared textOnly students who are admitted to the MPhil programme in International Community Health may attend this course.
Teaching
Access to teaching
Id does not exist in shared textExamination
The exam: The exam consists of a written abstract and an oral presentation. The objectives of the exam are to:
- define and advocate your field of interest.
- review the relevant literature to describe the current knowledge in that field.
- identify important unanswered questions in the field.
- justify your selection of question(s) you want to address
- spell out the research question you want to address or the hypothesis you want to test (if applicable).
The abstract shaould no be longer than one page. A literature list including all cited literature shall be attached. The abstract must be in the hands of the examiner at least two work days before the exam.
The oral presentation must be prepared as a power point presentation and should not be longer than 20 minutes. The time frame for the exam including the presentation is one hour.
Exam evaluation: The examiners will judge the seminar presentations as passed or failed. The criteria for Pass/Fail is primarily based upon an evaluation of:
- your knowledge of the central literature in your chosen field of research
- your ability to critically review and assess published material
- your ability to identify research gap/questions based on the review
- whether your research question(s) are feasible within the limits of a MPhil project
Examination support material
Id does not exist in shared textLanguage of examination
Id does not exist in shared textEnglish
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Id does not exist in shared textResit an examination
Id does not exist in shared textWithdrawal from an examination
Id does not exist in shared textSpecial examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.